This question addresses whether it is acceptable to give Zakat al-Fitr to organizations that collect it on the morning of Eid before the prayer and then distribute it to the poor after the prayer.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
Firstly, it is obligatory to pay Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, and thus giving it to an organization to distribute after the prayer raises concerns. Merely entrusting it to this organization is not sufficient; it must be given directly to the poor if possible. However, if the organization has prior authorization from the poor person to collect Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf, then it is permissible, as the payment to the organization would be considered a payment to the poor.
Secondly, giving Zakat al-Fitr to such organizations is permissible in itself, but it is essential to ensure that these organizations are aware of the legal rulings related to Zakat, such as identifying the rightful poor and the prohibition of giving Zakat meant for non-Hashimites to a Hashimite, among other rulings.
Source: Official website + Fiqh of the Guardian - Charity Rulings + Office of Sayyid Khamenei in Lebanon + Special Inquiry
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
Firstly, it is obligatory to pay Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, and merely entrusting it is not sufficient. However, if one is waiting for a specific poor person or if the organization is more knowledgeable in identifying the poor, then entrusting it may be sufficient. If the organization has prior authorization from the poor person to collect Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf, then it is permissible, as the payment to the organization would be considered a payment to the poor.
Secondly, giving Zakat al-Fitr to such organizations is permissible in itself, but it is essential to ensure that these organizations are aware of the legal rulings related to Zakat, such as identifying the rightful poor and the prohibition of giving Zakat meant for non-Hashimites to a Hashimite, among other rulings.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol 1 - Time of Obligation for Zakat al-Fitr + Remaining Rulings of Zakat - M1164 + Distribution of Zakat al-Fitr + Official website
May you be successful in all good.